Reds Trade for Estes to Help in Playoff Bid

With their playoff chances slipping away, the Cincinnati Reds acquired starter Shawn Estes from the New York Mets on Thursday for two minor leaguers and two players to be named.

The Mets also agreed to pay the remainder of Estes’ contract--$1,524,592--because Red ownership won’t increase the payroll. Estes, 29, agreed to a $6.2 million, one-year deal in February.

The Reds led the National League Central for 51 days earlier this season but were overtaken by St. Louis on June 18. They traded for starters Ryan Dempster and Brian Moehler in July, but they’ve gone a combined 3-5 in 10 starts with an 8.01 earned-run average.

Texas’ Kenny Rogers also vetoed a trade in July, saying he wanted to finish the season with the Rangers.

The Red pitching staff has been horrible of late, giving up six or more runs eight times in nine games.

Estes was 4-9 with a 4.55 ERA for the Mets, who acquired him in a trade with San Francisco in December. His main problem throughout his career has been control--he averages roughly one walk for every two innings pitched.

New York acquired left-hander Pedro Feliciano and outfielder Elvin Andujar from the Reds.

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Left-hander Jimmy Anderson, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ most experienced starting pitcher, was removed from the rotation by Manager Lloyd McClendon.

“The bottom line is we have to have results. You have to get it done. If you can’t, we’re going to go out and find someone else who can get it done,” McClendon said. “This isn’t a country club. This is a professional baseball team. Guys have to perform.”

Anderson (8-13, 5.70 ERA) wasn’t expecting the demotion and wasn’t happy with it.

“It really doesn’t make a lot of sense. I don’t make the decisions. I just have to live with it and I’ll try to do the best I can out of the bullpen,” Anderson said.

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The Cleveland Indians put closer Bob Wickman on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained tendon in his right elbow. Wickman flew to Los Angeles to have the elbow examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum. He had pitched only once after being put on the disabled list on July 23.... The San Diego Padres put right-hander Bobby J. Jones on the 15-day DL because of a strained lower back and recalled left-hander Mike Bynum from triple-A Portland. Bynum will make his major league debut Saturday.